Translated from Spanish, Valerio De Los Santos means Tim Harikkala. The left-hander, like Harikkala in 2007, was making his first start in nearly a decade. De Los Santos’ came on April 9, 2000, to be exact. Harikkala started last Aug. 12, and posted 10 outs in a Rockies’ win before disappearing. De Los Santos worked four innings, sabotaged by faulty command. He threw just 39 strikes in 82 pitches. Of his six walks, four came on four pitches.
Slight progress.
Todd Helton, out with a back injury, took swings off a tee as he inched toward his return. Ryan Spilborghs continues to do light activity but is a ways from coming back with his strained left oblique.
Crime spree.
Willy Taveras has recorded seven stolen bases in the past seven games, giving him a baseball-best 46. Troy E. Renck, The Denver Post
